Policy

Scan removable drives

This policy setting allows you to manage whether or not to scan for malicious software and unwanted software in the contents of removable drives, such as USB flash drives, when running a full scan. If you enable this setting, removable drives will be scanned during any type of scan. If you disable or do not configure this setting, removable drives will not be scanned during a full scan. Removable drives may still be scanned during quick scan and custom scan.

Policy
PackMicrosoft Windows
CategoryWindows Components / Microsoft Defender Antivirus / Scan
Policy IDb7745a069969
Internal nameScan_DisableRemovableDriveScanning

Registry

Copy registry mappings

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scan\DisableRemovableDriveScanning (enabled) = 0
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scan\DisableRemovableDriveScanning (disabled) = 1

Policy notes

This policy setting allows you to manage whether or not to scan for malicious software and unwanted software in the contents of removable drives, such as USB flash drives, when running a full scan. If you enable this setting, removable drives will be scanned during any type of scan. If you disable or do not configure this setting, removable drives will not be scanned during a full scan. Removable drives may still be scanned during quick scan and custom scan.

Related policies

Allow users to pause scanCheck for the latest virus and spyware security intelligence before running a scheduled scanConfigure local setting override for maximum percentage of CPU utilizationConfigure local setting override for schedule scan dayConfigure local setting override for scheduled quick scan timeConfigure local setting override for scheduled scan timeConfigure local setting override for the scan type to use for a scheduled scan